Chapter 1

Lorna snapped the chain before Cole could catch it.

"You don't need this."

His mother's silver locket hung open in her fist.

Inside, Cole's parents smiled at each other.

The photograph was worn white along one edge.

Cole reached for it.

Lorna dropped it on the floorboards and caught his wrist.

The little door stayed open where it landed.

Cole was eight, in a faded hoodie and jeans an inch too short.

His aunt pulled him toward the mudroom.

He stumbled, one loose shoelace dragging behind him.

His free hand stayed stretched toward the floor.

His torn sleeve rode up.

Small round scars showed on his forearm.

"The stove again?" Del asked from the doorway.

Lorna pulled the sleeve down.

The wood cookstove stood across the kitchen.

Del didn't look at it.

He watched the hand around Cole's wrist.

Rudy watched from the table and said nothing.

His supper plate sat between his elbows.

"It's my mom's," Cole said.

He hadn't raised his voice.

"Your mother's gone."

Cole bent toward the locket.

Lorna hauled him upright.

His shoulder struck the edge of her vest.

"And your father forgot you existed."

Cole stopped reaching.

For a moment, he looked at the photograph.

Then he looked at Rudy.

Rudy lowered his eyes to his plate.

Lorna took another step toward the cold mudroom.

Frost covered the bottom corners of its window.

Outside, the February night hid the horse pasture.

Packed snow lay along the drive.

"One more word and I'll call the county."

Cole braced a sneaker against the doorframe.

"They'll find you a bed."

His heel pressed harder against the wood.

The old hired hand stepped into her path.

"Let him go."

Lorna stopped pulling and turned on him.

"You're hired help."

Del's coat cuffs were dark from barn work.

Mud had dried in the creases of his boots.

Behind Lorna, Rudy pushed his plate back an inch.

That was all.

She pointed toward the trailer beyond the dark window.

"You want to lose your place, too?"

Del didn't lift his voice.

"I'm your uncle, Lorna."

She kept her chin raised.

He looked down at Cole.

"Your mother's uncle, too."

Cole brought his other foot beneath him.

He stood against the doorframe, watching her fingers.

Then Del told Lorna,

"I called his father two days ago."

Her grip loosened.

Cole pulled his wrist free.

He held it against his chest.

Lorna's empty hand hung beside her vest.

"Garrett doesn't want him."

"He's on his way."

She looked past Del toward the drive.

Nobody at the table spoke.

The locket still lay open between them.

Outside, a truck engine died in the drive.

Cole looked toward the door.

Then Del said,

"That's Cole's father. The one you told this boy forgot he existed."